looking at length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking at length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a detailed examination or consideration of a topic or subject. Example: "After looking at length into the research findings, we concluded that further studies are necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

No matter how carefully depicted, whether by the omniscient author or by themselves looking at length into their shaving mirrors, these maverick detectives are too consistent to be true characters.

The New Yorker

More data on clinical status may have helped to control for confounding when looking at length of stay and readmissions.

BMC Health Services Research

Similarly, in biology we can distinguish from molecular biology, microbiology, and cell biology looking at length scales below tenths of micrometers.

BioMed Research International

There was no difference observed when looking at length of RTT and for those who reported any; pain (U = 14899.5 (349) p = 0.064), any days off from school (U = 10960.5, p = 0.957) or any sleepless nights (U = 14348.5, p = 0.648) using Mann Whitney U.

BMC Oral Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

To look at length profiles of exosome-derived RNA, 2 μg of purified leishmania total RNA and 1 μg of exosome RNA were first treated with 5 units DNase I (Thermo) to remove potential DNA contamination.

BMC Genomics

Look at lengths and go to different sites and look at them until you find the one you want.

WikiHow

Although the lengths of genes are obviously longer than exons when looking at the length of genes and exons in the human genome the interquartile range (IQR) in log2 length is similar (genes IQR = 1.45, exons IQR = 1.23).

Biology Direct

"Are you crazy?" she asked him, looking at the length of the queue.

The Guardian

In each photograph, Mirones was looking at the length of the residual limb.

The New Yorker

"I discovered that I could guess an essay's prescribed score just by looking at its length — even from across a room," he wrote.

The New Yorker

But the European Commission was contesting the UK's habitual residency test, Duncan Smith told MPs, adding that the government was looking at the length of leases some migrants take out in rented housing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking at length" when you want to emphasize that you have taken a significant amount of time and effort to understand something thoroughly. It's especially useful when contrasting it with a superficial or quick examination.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "looking at length" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Choose more natural alternatives like "taking a close look" or "checking out in detail" for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking at length" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the manner or extent to which an action (such as examining, studying, or analyzing) is performed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking at length" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a detailed and thorough examination of a subject. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's more common in formal contexts, particularly in science and news media. When writing, consider the level of formality required and choose alternative phrases like "examining in detail" for more informal settings. Remember that using "looking at length" conveys that you have invested considerable time and effort into understanding something comprehensively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examining in detail

Focuses on the depth of the examination rather than the duration.

considering thoroughly

Emphasizes the completeness of the consideration.

analyzing extensively

Highlights the analytical aspect of the examination.

investigating comprehensively

Stresses the scope and completeness of the investigation.

studying in depth

Focuses on the depth of the study.

assessing at length

Similar but emphasizes evaluation.

reviewing comprehensively

Focuses on reviewing all aspects.

exploring exhaustively

Implies a very thorough and complete exploration.

delving deeply into

Emphasizes the depth and intensity of the investigation.

scrutinizing carefully

Highlights the meticulousness of the examination.

FAQs

How can I use "looking at length" in a sentence?

You can use "looking at length" to describe a thorough examination, as in, "After "looking at length" into the data, we identified the key trends."

What are some alternatives to "looking at length"?

Alternatives include "examining in detail", "considering thoroughly", or "studying in depth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "looking at length" formal or informal?

The phrase "looking at length" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "taking a close look" might be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "looking at length" instead of "looking at"?

"Looking at length" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the depth and duration of your examination, implying a more comprehensive analysis than simply "looking at" something.